I love a man in a uniform

Today's title is a straight lift from one the more clever songs of the 80s.  +5 points if you know the band and yes, I'm keeping score! I've got a large drop of British under way for Chain of Command. This platoon is all Artizan Designs.  When a figure is modeled as well as these, I assume the sculptor is also a painter.  I used a basecoat, wash and selective highlights to give these some pop.

The photos start with each section, and then pics of the  teams that make up the section (or squad as we say in the US).  British sections were made up of a Bren gun team plus a rifle team.  Three sections make a platoon, including a HQ with a PIAT and 2" mortar team.  Specialists will be featured in future posts.

First Section

Rifle Team

Bren Team

Second section

Third section

Hugh and I started the CoC Market-Garden campaign found in Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy #74.  The campaign is 4 linked battles representing the British 5 Platoon's spearhead for 3 Para’s advance on Arnhem. I ran the German training/replacement unit blocking the Para's advance. Thanks to some white hot dice and great generalship (tongue in cheek!), I beat Hugh's Para's quickly and soundly.

We reset and replayed the battle as the British must win to advance the campaign.  In our rematch, I got a beat-down before I withdrew off the table. My force morale plunged as a result and the next campaign battle just got exponentially more difficult for the Germans. Ouch!

Ottomans

The more I play SAGA, Dead Man's Hand, Chain of Command and Dux Brit, the less time I have for Field of Glory.  When our group does play FoG, it's for ancients only.  I realized my Later Ottoman Turks hadn't been on a tabletop since 2012 so, off to the market they went.

The Ottomans brought a commission to paint the  army into the Renaissance era. I'd always planned to do this myself but a lack of interest in FoG - Renaissance in the Twin Cities meant I never tried the rules and never made the leap.  Coming in 3 years after the original army was completed, these figures are the Renaissance era Ottomans I always wanted to paint.

The Janissary musketeers are all Mike's Models.  Possessing an Old School charm, I was uncertain how the figures would paint up.  It turns out they were quite nice to work with. It goes to show you can't judge a figure until you put some paint on it.  

These Tufekcis musketeers are by Old Glory.  The variety of poses, uniforms and colors give them the irregular look I was aiming for.  

Azab bow are by Mike's Models. While painted as irregulars, I kept a tight palette to avoid the dreaded "clown army" look.  

The Delis or "Mad-Head" cavalry are Mike's Models.  In Field of Glory, these fellows are tough!  

The Tufekcis cavalry are Mike's Models as well. 

To round out the lot, I painted up a Serbian allied command stand and Azab handgunners. 

The new owner is an active FoG tournament player. The Ottomans will get to travel across the globe for games in the US and abroad.   That's quite a change up from sitting on the shelf for 2 years. Cheers and good luck with these lads, Dannie!

Warlord Wednesday

As the winner of my 200 follower giveaway, Robert Hingley requested I paint up a Viking warlord. This fellow is a down payment on Robert's first SAGA warband.  SAGA allows up to a 50mm base for warlords, and I put it to use here.  The figures are by Gripping Beast and the banner is a transfer by the always fabulous Little Big Men Studios.  I can hear the warlord shouting "Quote the raven, nevermore, ya buggers!" He may not have said "buggers."  My ability to translate old Norse is a bit spotty but you get the idea.  Here's hoping this stout fellow serves Robert well on the tabletop!

I also went to work fixing my Breton warlord's dappled gray.  The dappling was too small so I applied larger mid gray spots as a base to scale up in lighter and larger gray spots. From 3 feet, this looks much better than my first try. I'm tempted to flatten it out with a wash but I've ruined a round of dappling already with a too dark wash. I  must remember Dean's advice to "paint for effect."  Always good advice!

Over the weekend, I stopped by the North Star Tournament.  North Star is a superbly run and attended Warhammer event.  This link takes you to their Facebook page with pictures of  37 gorgeous themed tables and spectacular fantasy armies. I recognized many of the players from SAGA Storm and everyone I spoke to was having a blast.

I'm sorely tempted to paint up a WH fantasy army and join the fun next year. Those of you who've been down this road know Warhammer is not an easy lift when it comes to the  rules, buying armies and painting.  My gaming plate is full so I'd have to push something off to add this project.  Stay tune.  If I make the crossover, it will be impossible to miss.

The streets of Laredo

With all my SAGA gaming and painting, I got a bit distracted from my Dead Man's Hand work. Here are some lovely bits of Old West color for the finish line.  First is another great kit by 4Ground. Is there anything their lasers can't do? I don't think so.

The roof opens up so you can put passengers inside.  I did not glue the passengers in as the interior is quite dark and my customer might use them for tabletop color.

These characters are for the 4Ground Gallows.  They're suitable for planned or impromptu Old West hangings. Poor cowboy, where did you go wrong? Don't tell me, you fought the law and the law won.

In DMH, you can't have too many casualty figures.  These prone cowboys went West for the gold and stayed for the whiskey and women.  Looks like that didn't work out for them.

This pair is the DMH Rogues Gallery.  I went for a Rooster Cogburn look for one, and a buckskin suit for his Winchester-wielding partner.

The only thing more fun than painting Old West is playing Old West and I've gotten in plenty of games lately.  I do believe DMH its the most fun you can have on a tabletop with your boots on. With all the rules I play, that's high praise!

Let's exit to The Clash's "I Fought the Law and the Law Won."  Brilliant live performance!